Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday claimed that the Muslim community in Assam is poised to become the largest demographic group in the state, with their population projected to rise to nearly 38 per cent in the upcoming national census.
Speaking at a public meeting in Dibrugarh, Sarma said, “This time, when the census takes place and the results are out, it will be found that the percentage of the Miya community has increased to 38 per cent. If any statistical department makes a projection, it will clearly show that they are set to become the largest community in Assam — and that is the truth.”
The chief minister asserted that the state’s indigenous population could remain secure “only if the Miya Muslims are kept under pressure”. He added that his government was considering the introduction of a new law in the legislative assembly to protect the interests of indigenous Assamese people.
Reaffirming his administration’s stance on land rights and eviction drives, Sarma said, “Eviction notices have already been issued in Goalpara and Behali. We are not stopping any work. The pressure on illegal encroachments will continue.”
Sarma’s comments have sparked sharp political reactions across Assam. Opposition leaders have accused him of attempting to communalise demographic issues ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, while supporters hailed his remarks as a firm commitment to protecting Assam’s “demographic and cultural integrity”.
The Miya community, comprising Bengali-origin Muslims who migrated to Assam during British rule and after Partition, has often been at the center of Assam’s identity and citizenship debates. Over the decades, the group has faced recurring allegations of illegal immigration from Bangladesh — a politically sensitive issue that continues to shape electoral and social discourse in the state.
Assam’s Muslim population, as per the 2011 Census, stood at 34.22 per cent, with the majority concentrated in districts such as Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, and Nagaon.